OG Anunoby’s role in the New York Knicks’ first NBA Finals appearance since 1999 gives Toronto fans another reason to celebrate. His success continues a pattern in which several members of the 2019 Raptors returned to the Finals after leaving the team. Danny Green won a championship with the Los Angeles Lakers in 2020, Kyle Lowry reached the Finals with the Miami Heat in 2023, and Pascal Siakam helped lead the Indiana Pacers to the Finals last season. Kawhi Leonard credited the Raptors’ work ethic for their title, while some fans believed the roster’s talent was understated. Anunoby exemplifies that depth, since he missed the 2019 playoffs due to an emergency appendectomy yet remained a key young piece. He has since developed into a two-way player who guards top opponents and provides dependable offense for New York.
"Anunoby's success with the Knicks also continues an interesting trend. He is now the fourth member of the 2019 Raptors to make it back to the Finals after leaving Toronto. In 2020, Danny Green won another championship with the Los Angeles Lakers. In 2023, Kyle Lowry reached the Finals with the Miami Heat. Last season, Pascal Siakam helped lead the Indiana Pacers to the Finals."
"That says a lot about how deep Toronto's championship team really was. Kawhi Leonard made waves earlier this season when he reflected on that 2019 group and said, "Everybody comes into their own, but you know, the talent wasn't there, but the work ethic was, and that's the reason why we won.""
"Anunoby is a great example of how much talent that Raptors team actually had. He did not even play during Toronto's 2019 playoff run because of an emergency appendectomy, yet he was still viewed as one of the most important young pieces in the organization. Today, Anunoby is a polished two-way force. He is asked to guard the opposing team's best player while still giving New York reliable offense on the other end."
"He had the size, strength, defensive instincts and low-maintenance offensive game that every contender needs. The Knicks are now benefiting from"
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